A true American hero speaks to the Navy football team

Head coach Ken Niumatalolo stopped practice last Wednesday so Brian Stann, a Silver Star award winner and former Navy football player, could speak to the players.

Head coach Ken Niumatalolo stopped practice last Wednesday so Brian Stann, a Silver Star award winner and former Navy football player, could speak to the players.

BILL WAGNERbwagner@capgaznews.com

Brian Stann is an impressive individual, having achieved significant success in everything he has pursued.

Stann played football at the Naval Academy, a linebacker who excelled on special teams. A 2003 graduate of the academy, Stann received Marine Corps infantry as a service assignment and ultimately achieved the rank of captain.

Stann and his Marines held out for six days under heavy attacks while coordinating air and tank support that eventually allowed them to be relieved on May 14, 2005. All 42 Marines in Stann’s platoon survived.

The following March, Stann was awarded the Silver Star, the nation’s third-highest award for valor in combat. Part of the citation reads: Second Lieutenant Stann personally directed two casualty operations, three vehicle recovery operations and multiple close air support missions under enemy small arms, machine gun and mortar fire in his 360-degree fight.

Stann began competing in Mixed Martial Arts in 2006 while still on active duty, using accumulated leave time for training and fights. In March, 2008, Stann defeated Doug Marshall by technical knockout to capture the WEC light heavyweight championship. The Pennsylvania native eventually switched to the Ultimate Fighting Championship Tour and compiled a 12-6 career record.

Stann is currently President and CEO of Hire Heroes USA, a non-profit organization that helps U.S. Military Veterans transition back into civilian life and find jobs. He also serves a television commentator for UFC broadcasts and ACC football on Fox Sports Net.

Needless to say, Stann is the type of person who immediately commands respect, which is exactly what he received while addressing the Navy football team last week.

Head coach Ken Niumatalolo stopped practice last Wednesday so Stann could speak to the players. Stann talked about the impact the Naval Academy experience had on him and spoke with particular passion about the Bond of Brotherhood that exists within the football team.

Stann urged the current midshipmen to maximize the opportunity they are receiving as students at one of the world’s greatest academic and leadership institutions. He mentioned former teammates that did not give 100 percent, whether it be athletic, academic or military responsibilities.

“Some of my classmates that stood on this same field, I wish I could go back in time and wake them up,” Stann said. “Hey Brett, hey Johnny, you’re slacking today. You know what, you slack a little bit every day and everybody sees it – and your attitude towards it is that you’re not cool if you’re going to tell me about it. You don’t want to hear the truth. I want to tell them that it will affect them later in life.”

Stann went on to say that classmates who were mediocre midshipmen and mediocre football players turned into mediocre military officers, mediocre businessmen and mediocre husbands and fathers.

“If you start doing everything to a standard of excellence now, that will carry over into your military life and your personal life,” Stann said.

One of the more remarkable aspects of Stann’s presentation was the fact Navy coaches and support personnel were just as mesmerized as the players.

“When that dude speaks, you just keep quiet and listen. All the things that Brian has done as far as serving our country… how can you not respect a man like that,” Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “I thought the message was great. He’s a great ambassador for our school and the Marine Corps.”

Click on this link to view the entire speech that Stann gave to the Navy football team.